Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Lice Biological Control

Biological control of salmon lice using cleaner fish represents an alternative to chemical treatments, but raises welfare concerns for the wrasse and lumpfish used.

Key Facts

Wrasse and lumpfish are deployed in cages to eat sea lice from salmon
Cleaner fish welfare has been largely neglected in favour of salmon welfare
Lumpfish reared in hatcheries show high mortality and stress-related injuries
Appropriate refuges, diet, and water quality are essential for cleaner fish welfare
The industry uses tens of millions of cleaner fish annually

Welfare Considerations

Cleaner fish are sentient individuals whose welfare must be considered independently of their utility to salmon production. The rapid scaling of cleaner fish use has outpaced welfare standards. Improved hatchery conditions, survival monitoring, and welfare protocols are urgent needs.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards that include cleaner fish welfare requirements
Advocate for independent monitoring of cleaner fish mortality rates
Choose certified salmon products from producers with documented cleaner fish welfare